Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to Taiwan

Direct flight routes to Taiwan

Non-stop flights to Taiwan are limited but available from select North American cities.

• Los Angeles (LAX) to Taipei (TPE) – EVA Air – 14h 15m


• San Francisco (SFO) to Taipei (TPE) – United Airlines – 14h 30m


• Seattle (SEA) to Taipei (TPE) – EVA Air – 13h 45m


• Vancouver (YVR) to Taipei (TPE) – EVA Air – 13h 20m

Layover/stopover options

Tokyo Narita (NRT) – JAL and ANA hub. Average connection time 2 hours. Modern facility with excellent dining options and transfer services.

Hong Kong (HKG) – Cathay Pacific hub. Typical connections 2-3 hours. Features world-class shopping and efficient immigration process for transfers.

Incheon (ICN) – Korean Air and Asiana hub. Connection times average 3 hours. Offers free transit tours for longer layovers and highly rated transfer facilities.

Manila (MNL) – Philippines Airlines hub. Connections typically 3-4 hours. Often provides cheaper routing options but less reliable transfer experience.

Time vs money

Non-stop flights typically command premium prices but save 5-8 hours of total travel time. Routes with layovers often cost 20-30% less and provide more scheduling flexibility.

Tips and recommendations

• Layovers in Tokyo or Seoul often cost similar to direct flights during peak seasons but offer better award seat availability.


• Consider overnight layovers in Hong Kong or Tokyo to break up the journey and explore an extra city at minimal additional cost.


• Book mixed-carrier itineraries through airline alliances for better deals, but ensure sufficient connection time.


• Winter flights with layovers in northern hubs risk weather delays; consider more southerly connections during this season.


• Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer the lowest fares regardless of routing choice.

• EVA Air’s Seattle-Taipei route offers consistently lower fares compared to their LAX and SFO services, often 15-20% cheaper, while using the same modern 787-9 aircraft with excellent Premium Economy product. The route features less competition and operates 5 times weekly with convenient evening departures. Connection times in Seattle from other US cities are generally under 3 hours.
• Travelers from Eastern Canada can benefit from Korean Air’s Toronto-Seoul-Taipei routing, which typically prices 10-15% below direct options. The service uses A380 aircraft on the transpacific segment, offering superior comfort even in economy class with 34-inch pitch. The 2-hour connection in Seoul is efficient and the airline’s generous baggage allowance applies to the entire journey.
• United Airlines operates a less-known Chicago-Taipei service that frequently offers competitive fares, especially for travelers from the Midwest. The route utilizes Boeing 787-9 aircraft with the airline’s latest Polaris configuration, and availability tends to be better than on United’s West Coast flights.
• For West Coast residents, China Airlines’ seasonal Taipei-Ontario (California) service provides an excellent alternative to LAX, with fares averaging 20% lower. The route uses A350-900 aircraft featuring the carrier’s latest cabin product, and Ontario Airport’s smaller size means faster immigration processing.
• Travelers from Vancouver can take advantage of Air Canada’s price-competitive codeshare with ANA via Tokyo-Haneda, which often prices lower than direct options while earning full Aeroplan miles. The connection in Haneda is during daylight hours, and the airport’s proximity to Tokyo allows for quick city visits during longer layovers.

1. Not considering alternative routing via Japan or South Korea Many travelers fixate on direct flights to Taipei while one-stop options through Tokyo (NRT/HND) or Seoul (ICN) can be significantly cheaper and offer opportunities for short layover visits.
2. Booking flights during Lunar New Year Flight prices to Taiwan skyrocket during Chinese New Year (usually January-February) as millions of overseas Taiwanese return home, making it the most expensive time to fly.
3. Confusing Taipei’s two airports International flights arrive at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), which is 45km from central Taipei, not Songshan Airport (TSA), leading to transportation planning mistakes.
4. Missing EVA Air’s premium economy deals EVA Air’s premium economy class often sells for just slightly more than economy during sale periods, offering significantly better comfort for long-haul flights from North America.
5. Overlooking fifth freedom flights Some travelers miss out on unique routing options like Korean Air’s flights from North America to Taipei via Seoul, which can offer better prices and mileage earning opportunities.

EVA Air

Best for: Direct flights from North America with exceptional service quality and reliability.

Operates from 5 North American cities to Taiwan (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York JFK, and Vancouver). EVA Air consistently ranks among the world’s safest airlines and offers generous 33-inch seat pitch in Economy. Their meals blend Western and Asian cuisine, and the Skytrax 5-star service includes thoughtful touches like hot towels and free amenity kits. Passenger satisfaction rates consistently above 85%.

China Airlines

Best for: Premium Economy offering and modern aircraft fleet.

Serves 4 North American destinations (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York JFK, and Vancouver) with Boeing 777-300ERs featuring updated cabins. Economy class offers 32-inch pitch seats with adjustable headrests. Their meal service includes local Taiwanese specialties, and entertainment system features extensive Asian content. Notably high ratings for cabin cleanliness and crew attentiveness.

United Airlines

Best for: Extensive route network with multiple connection options through Asia.

Connects 6 US cities to Taiwan via Tokyo or Seoul, with main hubs in San Francisco, Chicago, and Newark. Economy seats provide standard 31-inch pitch with personal entertainment screens. While meals are basic compared to Asian carriers, United offers competitive prices and valuable frequent flyer benefits for Star Alliance members.

Japan Airlines

Best for: Comfortable layover experience with excellent transfer services in Tokyo.

Services Taiwan through 7 North American gateways, primarily via Tokyo Narita or Haneda. Economy class features generous 33-34 inch seat pitch and highly-rated meals. Their efficient layover process in Tokyo and high on-time performance make connections smooth. Particularly strong ratings for seat comfort and cabin crew service quality.

Using regional Asian carriers to save on Taiwan flights

Savvy travelers can save hundreds of dollars on flights to Taiwan by strategically combining major carriers with regional Asian airlines. This approach requires booking separate tickets rather than a single itinerary.

1. Book main leg to a major Asian hub – Find deals on flights from North America to hubs like Tokyo, Seoul, or Hong Kong using major carriers like United, Korean Air, or JAL
2. Connect via budget carriers – Use regional airlines like Peach Aviation, Scoot, or HK Express for the final leg to Taiwan. These carriers often offer fares under $200 between major Asian cities and Taipei
3. Allow sufficient connection time – Book connections with at least 4 hours buffer since you’ll need to collect and recheck bags between separate tickets

This strategy works best when traveling in off-peak seasons like October-November or February-March. The key is monitoring fare sales from both major carriers and regional airlines. Tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner can help track prices across multiple airlines and routes.

While this approach requires more planning, savings can exceed $500 compared to traditional single-ticket bookings, especially for last-minute travel.